LABOUR PARTY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20891, 22 November 1937, Page 10

LABOUR PARTY

EXPULSION OF A MEMBER The following statement, signed by the president of the North Canterbury Labour Representation Committee, Mr J. Roberts, and dealing with the expulsion of Mr Hiram Hunter, has been made public: “On behalf of the North Canterbury Labour Representation Committee. I have been directed to make the following statement in reply to Mr Hunter’s ’explanation’ of the reason

for his expulsion from the Labour Party. Mr Hunter’s statement that he was expelled from the party because of a passage in one of his letters to ‘The Press’ is inaccurate.

“The Labour Party’s constitution gives the fullest freedom to any member to criticise the policy of the parti’, or the actions of any of its members. Mr Hunter did not take advantage of the machine-y provided, therefore he was expelled from the party. He has consistently used the columns of a very accommodating anti-Labour newspaper to attack the policy of the party and its officials.

"The amount of space accorded tu Mr Hunter by “The Press’ must constitute a record allowed to correspondents, and is indicative of the use made of Mr Hunter by our opponents.

“If Mr Hunter finds himself unable to conform to the constitution and procedure of the party, then obviously his place is with the anti-Labour forces. In regard to the procedure adopted in Mr Hunter’s expulsion, the constitution of the party has been strictly adhered to and hus received the endorsement of the National Executive.

“We are fully conscious of the fact that Mr Hunter will receive ample space in the future to attack the Labour Party and its officials?

“It is not our intention to carry on a controversy with him. He is now free to attack the Labour Party, and we have no doubt that he will receive every assistance and encouragement from our opponents."